Bubble cap with controlled cover disc



May 28, 1968 J. EPSTEIN BUBBLE CAP WITH CONTROLLED COVER DISC Filed Dec. 29, 1964 Hllll:

JOSHUA EpsTEm INVENTOR ATTORNEY5 United States Patent 3,385,577 BUBBLE CAP WITH CONTROLLED COVER DISC Joshua Epstein, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to Acme Process Equipment Co., Oreland, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Dec. 29, 1964, Ser. No. 421,977 Claims. (Cl. 261-114) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Disclosed herein is an improved bubble cap and vertically movable cover disc for application to bubble trays in a separation tower. The bubble cap is formed in the shape of an inverted cup having downwardly depending leg portions suitable for attachment to the bubble tray and downwardly depending rib portions defining spaces therebetween for the passage of gases therethrough. An uppermost central portion is provided with a non-circular opening and a bubble disc is received within the inverted cup and has an upwardly extending stem portion of non-circular cross-section similar to the configuration of the opening. The aforesaid stem extends through the opening and prevents rotation of the disc while guiding the vertical movement of the disc.

The description which follows relates to an improved form of bubble cap with controlled cover disc, adapted for use with the bubble trays of a separation tower. In this device, the cover disc is controlled or restrained by means associated with the top of the inverted cup to guide the disc in a vertical movement without lateral deviation.

The function of the cover disc is well known, permitting vapors to rise through the openings of a bubble tray and through a counter-flow current of liquid travelling downwardly over the tray and through the openings therein.

There are conditions where it is desirable to impose some restraint or control over the vertical motion of the disc. Thus it will be prevented from tilting, so that the vapors will have a uniformly distributed passage. Again, the disc is prevented from rotation relative to the cap.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide means cooperating between the axis of the disc and the top of the inverted cup to restrict the disc to a purely vertical movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide cooperative means between the disc and the top of the inverted cup to prevent the disc from being rotated by the flow of vapor and liquid.

A still further object of the invention is to free the periphery of the disc from any rubbing contact with the legs and vertical ribs of the inverted cup.

As illustrating this invention I have shown the preferred form on the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a bubble cap embodying the improved cover disc and FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional view on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

Basically the invention consists in providing a vertical stem centrally of the cover disc and projecting through the center of the top of the cap. The stem is given a non-circular cross-section consisting of multiple sides and edges. The hole in the top of the cap through which the stem rises, is given a corresponding outline. Consequently the disc will be caused to rise and fall in a purely vertical direction. At the same time the disc is prevented from rotary movement. Incidentally, the mounting of the disc is such that its peripheral edge will not 3,385,577 Patented May 28, 1968 r: CC

bear against the inner sides of the ribs and legs of the cup.

As shown on the drawings, the bubble tray 4 of the absorption tower is in a horizontal plane and provided with a plurality of holes 5.

A cage or inverted cup 6 is provided to be mounted centrally over the hole 5. The cup has a series of legs 7 by which it may be attached in position on the tray 4. While I have shown each of the legs 7 as terminating in an end 8, received in a notch 9 around the hole 5, the ends of the legs may also be retained by passing through slots in the bubble tray equally spaced around the hole 5.

The side wall of the inverted cup consists of a series of vertical ribs 10 which extend from the top to the upper surface of the tray 4, on which latter they rest and are held by the legs 7.

The top of the cup is in the form of an open spider 11. This has a center opening 12. As shown in FIG- URE l, the center opening is multi-sided and specifically square in outline.

The cover disc 13 has the usual concave shape with circular periphery. Lugs 14 are arranged in spaced locations around the edge of the disc 13. They rest upon the tray 4 outside of the hole 5 but within the circle occupied by the legs 7 and ribs 10.

The center of the disc 13 has permanently attached thereto, a vertical stem 15 which is long enough to rise through the center opening 12 when the disc is in its lowest position resting on the tray 4, as shown in FIG- URE 2.

The stem 15 has the same cross-section as that of the center opening 12 in the top of the cup. The stem 15 is slightly smaller than the opening 12, so that it will rise and fall through the opening freely.

The square cross-section of the stem 15 is typical of a square prism. However, any other form of prism which provides edges or ribs, may be substituted with an opening 12 of corresponding cross-section.

It will be readily understood that the disc 13 rests in the position shown in FIGURE 2, with the peripheral lugs 14 in contact with the tray 4.

When, however, the disc submerged in liquid is buoyed up by the rising vapor, it will also rise with the stem 15 passing freely through the center opening 12.

In this motion, the stem 15 controls the movement of the disc 13. The latter can only move vertically.

At the same time, the edges of the prismatic stern restrain any tendency on the part of the disc 13 to rotate.

The combined effort results in a minimum of contact between the edge of the disc and the inner wall of the cup, so that there is little friction or wear.

The preferred form of the invention havingbeen illustrated by way of example, permits variation in specific details of structure and materials within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A bubble cap in the form of an inverted cup with legs adapted for attachment to a bubble tray around a hole therein, said cap having a top with a central opening, a disc within the cap, a vertical stern fixedly mounted centrally on the disc, and slidably received in said central opening, said stem and said opening being of corresponding non-circular cross-section.

2. A bubble cap in the form of an inverted cup with legs adapted for attachment to a bubble tray around a hole therein, said cap having a top with a central multisided opening, a disc within the cap, and a corresponding prismatic stem fixedly mounted centrally on the disc and extending upwardly through the opening in the top of the cap in non-rotatable relation thereto.

3. A bubble cap in the form of an inverted cup with legs adapted for attachment to a bubble tray around a hole therein, said cap having a top with a central square opening, a disc within the cap and a corresponding square prismatic stem fixedly mounted centrally on the disc and extending upwardly through the opening in the top of the cap.

4. A bubble cap in the form of an inverted cup with legs adapted for attachment to a bubble tray around a hole therein, said cap having a top with a central opening, a disc within the cap, a vertical stem fixedly mounted centrally on the disc, and slidably received in said central opening, said stem and said opening being of corresponding non-circular cross-section for preventing relative rotation therebetween, the diameter of the disc being less than the inner diameter of the cap.

5. A bubble cap for a bubble tray comprising an inverted cup portion for attachment to a bubble tray in overlying relation to a hole formed therein, said cup portion including spaced apart downwardly depending legs terminating in tray engaging ends for fastening said inverted cup portion to said tray, a plurality of downwardly depending ribs defining spaces therebetween for the passage of gases therethrough, said ribs being of lesser length than said legs, a centrally located top portion connected to said legs and said ribs and positioned to overlie the hole in said tray, said centrally located top portion having a non-circular opening formed therein, a disc within said inverted cup portion having a centrally located upwardly extending stern fixedly attached thereto, said disc having edges radially inwardly spaced from said legs and said ribs to prevent engagement therebetween and said stem being of non-circular cross-section corresponding to said non-circular hole and extending therethrough in freely slidable relation thereto, said opening constraining said disc and said stem against rotation and guiding the vertical movement of said disc toward and away from the hole in said tray While maintaining said disc out of contact with said legs and said ribs.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,449,590 3/1923 Dent 137533.31 2,428,889 10/1947 Nutter 2,658,737 11/1953 Nutter.

2,853,094 9/1958 Wexler 137-53331 2,871,003 1/1959 Galbreath.

3,037,754 6/1962 Glitsch.

r HARRY B. THORNTON, Primary Examiner. E. RENNER, Assistant Examiner. 

